conducir
/konduˈθiɾ/
To drive in Spanish is conducir.
The verb refers to operating the controls of a motor vehicle to make it move.
Which one should you use?
While conducir is the standard term and is widely used in Spain, the word manejar is the more common term for 'to drive' in most of Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
manejar is mainly used in Latin America and some regions of Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb conducir is conducción, which means driving or conduction.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduˈθiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to say 'to drive a car', do not omit the article. Instead of saying conducir carro, you should include the article, such as conducir un carro or conducir el carro.
Did you know?
- The word manejar comes from the word for 'handling' a horse, which is why it is used for 'driving' in Latin America.
- In Spanish, the noun conducción is used both for the act of driving a car and the scientific process of thermal or electrical conduction.
- The verb conducir is a direct cognate of the English word 'conduce', though in English we almost exclusively use the latter for abstract concepts like 'conducting oneself' rather than operating a vehicle.
Examples in context
- Tom no sabe conducir.Tom doesn't know how to drive.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of ability regarding the verb conducir.Tatoeba #1707864 by teskmon, translation #1841475 by CK
- No me gusta conducir.I don't like to drive.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference regarding the verb conducir.Tatoeba #2750019 by Shishir, translation #2276105 by CK
- No sé conducir carro.I don't know how to drive a car.Tatoeba #4335935 by pchamorro, translation #2751061 by sharptoothed
- ¿Sabes conducir un automóvil?Do you know how to drive a car?
- Sí, conduzco desde hace muchos años.Yes, I have been driving for many years.
- ¿Puedes manejar una motocicleta?Can you drive a motorcycle?
- No, no sé manejar motocicletas.No, I do not know how to drive motorcycles.
- ¿Has tenido la oportunidad de pilotar un coche deportivo?Have you had the opportunity to drive a sports car?
- No, no he tenido la oportunidad de pilotar un coche deportivo todavía.No, I haven't had the chance to drive a sports car yet.
- 104 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are planning a trip by car.
- Daniel¿Quieres conducir tú hoy?Do you want to drive today?
- ElenaSí, me encanta conducir por la carretera.Yes, I love to drive on the highway.
- DanielEstá bien, yo preparo el mapa.Okay, I will prepare the map.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo me encargo de conducir.Perfect, I'll take care of driving.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry conducir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conducir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
